[mythtv-users] Building a New MythTV System

Ivan Kowalenko ivan.kowalenko at gmail.com
Tue Jan 30 00:18:27 UTC 2007


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On Jan 29, 2007, at 15.24, Brad DerManouelian wrote:

> On Jan 29, 2007, at 12:08 PM, aletsm at gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Hope this mail found you well.
>>
>> I am writing you because I decided to build a MythTV System, so I  
>> would like to to hear from you what parts you recommend based on  
>> my needs, so I list them below and hopefully some of you can  
>> provide me some advise on what parts buy. I used to (long time  
>> ago) build my own systems, but as I got older I stop doing it but  
>> still I think I can manage even a mini-itx case.
>>
>> - I need the System be quiet, I will place it in my room

Plenty of guides on the tubes to tell you how to soundproof your case.

>> - Small factor, external power supply would be nice but not mandatory

It's not impossible.

>> - Able to view Live TV and recording at the same time

I don't know if you can watch LiveTV AND a recording simultaneously  
on the same computer. But if you mean record a TV show and watch it,  
or watch Live TV and have another computer watch a recording (or some  
combination of the two), it's easy. It MAY be possible with the  
Picture-In-Picture settings, but I honestly have no clue.

>> - Ability to pause, rewind and forward live TV

At the moment, Myth can do this, but it can only rewind to the point  
where you started watching. That is, unless you jump in while it's  
recording, in which case you can watch your recording from as far  
back as it began.

>> - Dual tuner so I can watch and record different channels, PIP, etc

This has been done plenty of times by a lot of users. Probably are  
guides for it on the Wiki.

>> - Broadcast recorded shows and Live TV (I tavel a lot)

MythStream and MythStreamTV. Plus you can always just pull the MPEG-2  
file directly onto your laptop (or whatever) and go. There's also a  
wonderful script called MythPod (or has it changed names?) where you  
can specify to have your files automatically transcoded to a format  
that the iPod, PSP, and other PMPs can play, and even added into an  
RSS feed/podcast.

>> - Remote Control

VERY common. KnoppMyth will even configure it for you.

>> - HDTV output, BlueRay DVD?

HDTV output, possible. BluRay, not yet. DVD, piece of cake.

>> - Under $1,000 USD

Theoretically possible, but you'll NEVER meet your price range if you  
want BluRay in there. The drives themselves are like $800, plus  
there's no Linux support yet because of the fear of the cryptographic  
keys being broken (or compromised) in an "open" system.

Fortunately, though, you can always upgrade parts of your system.  
When libAACS exists, and BluRay drives are cheap, you can always add  
one (or an external HD-DVD drive, alá MS's X360 add-on)

You know, if it weren't for the lack of FireWire ports on it, I'd say  
you'd be a perfect candidate to try using a PS3 as a Myth box. It's  
been done now, but there are very few HD capture cards on USB, and  
Cable-over-FireWire is not an option.

>> I had read about different small factor boards (I like VIA boards)  
>> but looks like I could face a lot of problem with them, so I am  
>> open to any suggestion

I think you can get this working, but it'll take patience and some  
experimentation (working until you get the right HDTV modelines, etc).

>> Thanks for your help.

No problem.

>> A/
>
> Tivo's Series 3 box sounds like the exact thing you're describing.  
> It's $800 plus $200 for a year of service which meets your $1000  
> price mark. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound like an ass here but  
> if those really are your list of requirements, it would perform  
> well for   you.

Yeah, but the problem with that recommendation is that the user may  
not want to be locked into the TiVo DRM. But a good suggestion  
nonetheless. Does the Series 3 even support dual-tuners or PiP?


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